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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety And Depression
Question: can someone develop ptsd without being in the military? I worked 16 years as a court reporter being exposed to unthinkable horrors everyday, some child homicide cases lasting six weeks long, serial killings, rape, child abuse. I can't drag myself out of the house or bed now for over a year, feel hopeless, major depression, unemployed, divorcing, lost 70 pounds, gained 30 pounds, losing again, concentration difficult, panic attacks. Doctor prescribed many anti-depressants, nothing working thus far, just brain electrical impulses worsening, hot flashes, crying, overly empathetic to others, little energy directed toward self, suicidal ideations. History of breast cancer, four years behind me. Don't understand this but feel it developed over years and years of sitting and smiling to help others through the repeated exposure to difficult court cases, crimes against children the worst. Can't seem to forget, dream of them often, feel helpless.
Brief Answer:
change drug and enter in therapy, to get better
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Your job and to sime extent breast cancer treatment had been the cause of anxiety and depression most probably. Its not that everyone would have had the same effect ond hearing such horrifying stories, but a sensitive soul is troubled easily, especially a female.
No doubt that repeated exposure to such people or sufferers has some efect on everyone.
You have mentioned having no good results with anti depressants, which is unlikely if a proper drug is given. Presently you are taking wellbutrin for your psychiatric symptoms. Here I would like to add that wellbutrin is not an effective molecule for someone having a presentation like yours. There are certain drugs which give better response in some specific kind of symptom profile,( even though when you read about the drugs you feel all are same).
I can help you if you provide me with deails of your previous psychiatric drugs and the duration for which they were taken.
At present I feel that you must entre into regular therapy sessions with some councellor or may be with your psychiatrist. For someone who has heard and seen so much suffering, some vent is needed. Therapy along with meds is a much needed approach in your case. Im sure with right drug and good therapy, you will get better fast.
Hope the reply is useful.
please feel free to ask more questions for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD psychiatry
change drug and enter in therapy, to get better
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Your job and to sime extent breast cancer treatment had been the cause of anxiety and depression most probably. Its not that everyone would have had the same effect ond hearing such horrifying stories, but a sensitive soul is troubled easily, especially a female.
No doubt that repeated exposure to such people or sufferers has some efect on everyone.
You have mentioned having no good results with anti depressants, which is unlikely if a proper drug is given. Presently you are taking wellbutrin for your psychiatric symptoms. Here I would like to add that wellbutrin is not an effective molecule for someone having a presentation like yours. There are certain drugs which give better response in some specific kind of symptom profile,( even though when you read about the drugs you feel all are same).
I can help you if you provide me with deails of your previous psychiatric drugs and the duration for which they were taken.
At present I feel that you must entre into regular therapy sessions with some councellor or may be with your psychiatrist. For someone who has heard and seen so much suffering, some vent is needed. Therapy along with meds is a much needed approach in your case. Im sure with right drug and good therapy, you will get better fast.
Hope the reply is useful.
please feel free to ask more questions for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD psychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I took Serazone for one year with some success, but as my situation deepened and became harder to deal with the Serazone became less effective. I was switched to Lexapro for about 6 months, no real improvement, just getting by. I wa buts prescribed Pristique for 6 months was more prone to panic attacks and crying spontaneously and anger/rage. I switched to Celexa, which didn't siffice, so Zoloft was added with Celexa, which made me suicidal ans was stopped after only two weeks. Three weeks ago I stopped the Celexa and Zoloft ans was prescribed the Wellbutrin. I have had severe hot flashes, unbearable, and brain zaps/electrical impulse in my temples and worsening anxiety, sleeplessness. I need another option or I will lose my mind and all hope. I plan on calling my primary care physician to request help. He fezlq we are under served in this area where I live by the psychiatric community and hasn't a recommendation thus far he trusts. I agree. I see a counselor but not regularly enough probably, no insurance accepted there, and she is not lucensed to prescribe meds.
What meds would you recommend I try now while we look for a provider in psychiatry? I cant focus or get things accomplished like this very well. Please help me find the right direction for today and the next weeks b4 I can get in to talk with psychiatry specialist.
What meds would you recommend I try now while we look for a provider in psychiatry? I cant focus or get things accomplished like this very well. Please help me find the right direction for today and the next weeks b4 I can get in to talk with psychiatry specialist.
Brief Answer:
paroxetine and etizolaam should help you
Detailed Answer:
hello
please start paroxetine ( can discuss this with your doctor). Start with 12.5 mg and increase to 37.5-50mg.
Add etizolam 1mg in morning and 0.5mg in afternoon to handle anxiety and panic attacks.
See a councellor regularly to help early recovery. If you cannot find a councellor, try to talk to soemone wise enough to understand your problem and give you some peace.
Therapy session can be 2-3 times initially and later decreased.
Get TSH, Vit D and B12 levels and treat them if they are deranged.
Wish you good luck.
Please ask more questions for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Psychiatry
paroxetine and etizolaam should help you
Detailed Answer:
hello
please start paroxetine ( can discuss this with your doctor). Start with 12.5 mg and increase to 37.5-50mg.
Add etizolam 1mg in morning and 0.5mg in afternoon to handle anxiety and panic attacks.
See a councellor regularly to help early recovery. If you cannot find a councellor, try to talk to soemone wise enough to understand your problem and give you some peace.
Therapy session can be 2-3 times initially and later decreased.
Get TSH, Vit D and B12 levels and treat them if they are deranged.
Wish you good luck.
Please ask more questions for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Psychiatry
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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